Preston presents ‘Willy Wonka Jr.’

LAKEWOOD — The halls of Preston Area School will be transported to a
whimsical wonderland of sweets, songs and serendipity as students
present “Willy Wonka, Jr.,” premiering May 4 and 5 at 7 p.m.

Adapted for the stage by Leslie Bricusse and Timothy A. McDonald, with
music and words by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley, “Willy Wonka
Jr.” is based on the Roald Dahl classic “Charlie and the Chocolate
Factory.”

It follows the
eponymous candy maker as he concocts a contest whereby five lucky souls
are granted a full tour of his factory and a lifetime supply of candy.

To claim their prize, however, the children must follow their
benefactor’s rules, a daunting task when four of the five are prone to
misbehaving.

Co-directed by Erin Canedy and Jason Smith, the show features a
prominent cast of fourth- through eighth-graders at Preston School.

Wonka himself, portrayed by eighth-grader Jimmy Orthouse, stated he’s excited to perform in his first lead role.

“I feel like I fit him,” said Orthouse of Wonka, noting he channels the character’s high spirited energy when performing.

Encouraging attendance, Orthouse said, “It’s gonna be fun...there will be lots of laughs, and for good reasons.”

Adding to this sentiment, fifth-grader Trysten Evanitsky stated “A
lot of the jokes a lot adults will get but not may kids will get, and
that’s pretty funny.”

Having worked since January to get the production in order, the cast is excited to start, said both directors.

“We have a lot of young kids, a lot of fourth-graders, in this
production this year,” said Canedy, “which is really exciting because
we’ll have them for many years to come.”

Despite the cast’s overall youth, Canedy noted, “A lot of the kids have really immersed themselves in everything from sets … to a lot of the creative aspect to their character, which isn’t something you see until high school or college.”

Likewise, Smith stated, “The kids are doing well,” and they “...seem to be ready, so it’s really good.”

The co-director noted “The Candy Man” song is like “a trip down memory lane.”

A prominent scene lauded by several members of the cast and crew is
the one wherein Wonka boats his winners around in a bright pink candy
ship, singing “There’s no knowing, so they don’t know where they’re
going.”

“The expressions on their faces are priceless,” said co-director Smith.

Canedy likewise noted the look and feel of the light effects make for a surreal scene.